The Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH) opened Hong Kong's first 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Center in Hong Kong Tuesday.

Featuring Siemens state-of-the-art whole-body MRI scanner, the MAGNETOM Trio, the center is now home to 3T technology with twice the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of other 1.5 MRI scanners in Hong Kong, according to the HKSH.

The increased SNR leads to better spatial resolution and faster scanning, resulting in improved diagnostic accuracy, the HKSH said.

"The HKSH continues to be at the forefront of introducing the best and the latest medical technology to the public. The MAGNETOM Trio heralds the next generation of MRI scanners in Hong Kong." said Gladys G. Lo, radiologist-in-charge and honorary consultant in diagnostic radiology of HKSH, at the opening ceremony of the 3TMRI Center on Tuesday.

"3T provides a quantum leap in image quality and functional MRI imaging. This whole body scanner will benefit all types of patients from those with cancer to healthy individuals requiring check-ups." said Lo.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2004)